Career Development Module
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Onwards & Upwards A Toolkit for Careers Advisors Working with Mature Students in Higher Education Onwards & Upwards A Toolkit for Careers Advisors Working with Mature Students in Higher Education Careers Service Cooperative Education & Careers Division University of Limerick www.ul.ie/careers Written by Patsy Ryan, Careers Advisor - University of Limerick April 2007 Onwards & Upwards Summary This toolkit serves as a framework for those working with adult learners who are planning to study at third level. It comprises two modules, Educational Guidance and Career Development, which highlight and examine the core aspects of educational and career preparation through a number of tutorials which include course and career investigation, grant applications, skills identification, CV and application form preparation, interview advice and overall self-awareness. Each tutorial comprises an introductory text and presentation slides, while others have assignments and additional materials to support tutorial activities. Both modules offer practical exercises, which enable students to relate to and customise the learning to meet their own needs. Students also gain the opportunity to give oral presentations and submit assignments and reports, activities that are typical of most educational and career paths today. The toolkit guides and advises tutors throughout all aspects of the modules, while allowing for flexibility in each tutorial given the diverse needs of all groups. Through regular feedback and updating, the toolkit continues as an invaluable aid in supporting adult learning. This report can be downloaded at: http://www.ul.ie/careers/careers/mature/toolkit.shtml. Summary Toolkit Overview iii Onwards & Upwards Acknowledgements Thanks to the students on the Mature Student Access Certificate Course at the University of Limerick who provided feedback on the modules for this toolkit and who were such a joy to work with. Thanks to Denise Flannery for editing the content, and designing, compiling, and preparing the toolkit for publication in print and web formats. Thanks to Mary Sweeney, Head of UL Careers Service, and to Patrice Twomey and Eva O’Keeffe, Cooperative Education Managers, for their helpful and insightful comments. Thanks to AGCSI for contributing towards the cost of funding this project. Thanks to Noreen Coveney O’Beirne, Mature Student Officer and Mature Student Access Course Coordinator, and Maria O’Connell, Administrator, at the Mature Student Office in the University of Limerick. Acknowledgements Toolkit Overview iv Onwards & Upwards Table of Contents Summary...............................................................................................iii Acknowledgements...............................................................................iv Welcome/Introduction ...........................................................................1 Educational Guidance Module................................................. 4 Tutorial 1: Career and Life Review .......................................................5 Tutorial 2: The Career-Planning Process...............................................9 Tutorial 3: Life as a Mature Student....................................................18 Tutorial 4: Investigating Courses.........................................................21 Tutorial 5: Giving Presentations ..........................................................26 Tutorials 6 & 7: Individual Presentations ............................................30 Tutorial 8: Higher Education Grants....................................................31 Tutorial 9: Feedback and Evaluation ...................................................35 Career Development Module ................................................. 38 Tutorial 1: Mature Graduates and the Workplace................................39 Tutorial 2: Skills and Interests .............................................................43 Tutorial 3: Career Investigation...........................................................49 Tutorials 4 & 5: Individual Presentations ............................................55 Tutorial 6: CVs and Covering Letters..................................................56 Tutorial 7: Application Forms .............................................................75 Session 8: Interviews ...........................................................................80 Session 9: Feedback and Evaluation....................................................86 Table of Contents Toolkit Overview v Onwards & Upwards Welcome Welcome to the toolkit for careers-advisors working with mature students. This guide was developed by the Careers Service at the University of Limerick, and has been instrumental in preparing mature students for undertaking their degrees and future careers. We hope you enjoy and benefit from the toolkit and look forward to your feedback on completion of the modules with your students. Background Information on the Educational Guidance and Career Development Modules The Educational Guidance and Career Development modules were developed specifically for adults on the University of Limerick’s (UL) Mature Student Access Certificate Course; a one-year pre-degree course for adults over the age of 22. The Course is designed for those who want to develop the necessary skills to begin a full-time degree course. It offers the opportunity to learn or refresh key learning skills (study skills, maths, computing etc), to explore further study and career options, and to study foundation-level subjects in one of the following areas: Humanities, Science, Electronic & Computer Technology, Business, and Engineering. The UL Careers Service introduced career-development tutorials for mature students in 2003. This programme consisted of ten tutorials, and used the online Career Development Module from Reading University as a guide. The sessions were quite similar to the standard career tutorials used with typical undergraduates. Topics included creating a career profile, researching courses and careers, creating CVs and applications, and preparing for interviews. Over the last three years, however, based on feedback from each group and from the tutor’s regular evaluation, the material has evolved into two modules – the Educational Guidance Module and the Career Development Module. Much of the material can be applied to learners of any age group, but some tutorials are tailored for the needs of adult learners. Welcome Toolkit Overview 1 of 88 Onwards & Upwards Using the Toolkit This toolkit is designed for those working with adults in educational and career guidance settings. It guides tutors through the modules by providing background information to each tutorial, relevant materials for research and assignments, and tips and advice for the tutor where necessary. The presentation slides that accompany each tutorial are the main teaching aid for tutors, and should be downloaded and edited for each group before delivering the modules. The slides are available at http://www.ul.ie/careers/careers/mature/toolkit.shtml. Tutors may copy the slides as tutorial handouts if they so wish. Programme Outline The Educational Guidance, and Career Development, Modules are now core elements of the Mature Student Access Certificate Course in UL. Students must complete assignments and achieve a pass grade in both modules. When working with adults, it is important to acknowledge that each group will differ in many regards, and the tutor may need to adapt resources and style of presentation to suit the needs of the group. Educational Guidance Module The Educational Guidance Module is designed to help students investigate and become familiar with courses that best suit their interests and needs. It contains nine weekly tutorials, each of two hours duration. Tutorials cover the career/life planning process, career and life review, course investigation, presentation skills, and higher education grants. Career Development Module The Career Development Module is designed to help students investigate and become familiar with careers that best suit their interests and needs. It comprises nine weekly tutorials, each of two hours duration. Tutorials cover mature graduates and the workplace, skills review and personality questionnaires, researching careers, CVs and covering letters, application forms, and interviews. Welcome Toolkit Overview 2 of 88 Onwards & Upwards Although the modules and accompanying tutorials represent a sequential pattern, most can be used randomly also. A number of areas, e.g. Giving Presentations (Educational Guidance Module) and Skills and Interests (Career Development Module), may require more than one tutorial depending on the size of the group. The modules have been developed specifically for the Mature Student Access Certificate Course in the University of Limerick, so each tutor should adapt the tutorials to suit their particular groups. Tutorial Duration All tutorials in this toolkit require approximately two hours; a coffee break is recommended after 45 minutes. The tutor should decide on the duration of each tutorial part. Delivering the Modules Two-way open communication is essential. The tutor should be prepared to share their life and career experiences with the group; an active approach such as this will encourage the group to reflect upon and share their own experiences in tutorials. Feedback and Evaluation Feedback is vital for refining and developing the modules. The tutor should check regularly with the group to ensure that the tutorials